Wind is an important source of renewable energy and a critical part of our green energy future. However, research from the last decade has shown that hundreds of thousands of bats are killed by wind turbines each year. A recent study determined that collisions with turbines have the potential to cause population-level declines in at least one migratory bat species. Fortunately, promising technology is in development to deter bats from approaching wind turbines and until these deterrent technologies become commercially available, wind facilities can voluntarily adopt operational changes to reduce bat fatalities. Conservation organizations, corporate energy purchasers, and the wind energy industry can work together to save these bat species and ensure that Americans do not have to choose between reducing greenhouse gas pollution and protecting our rich wildlife legacy.
